Plugged In

PlayStation 4 sales top 2 million units in two weeks

According to Sony, the system has sold through 2.1 million units just two weeks after hitting shelves, a record-setting worldwide mark for the PlayStation brand. That follows the launch of the next-generation console in Europe, Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and other neighboring islands) and Latin America.

Europe and the Oceania region alone were responsible for 700,000 units, according to Sony.

"PS4 delivered the best launch in PlayStation history with the North American release and we've continued this incredibly successful start in Europe, Australasia and Latin America," said Andrew House, president and group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "We are extremely grateful for the passion of PlayStation fans and thank them for their continued support."

The worldwide sales numbers follow an excellent showing in the U.S. Sony sold 1 million PS4 units in its first 24 hours stateside, making it Sony's fastest selling console ever, even topping the initial numbers of the PlayStation 2 in Japan. The 2.1 million mark makes it the fastest selling PlayStation console worldwide as well. Japan will get the PS4 next February.

Demand for the PS4 continues to outpace supply, but Sony says it is working hard to get additional units to its retail partners throughout the holiday season.

The much-touted share functionality of the PS4 appears to be a big hit. Sony notes that PS4 owners have used live broadcasting services Ustream and Twitch extensively (a few bumps in the road notwithstanding). All totaled, more than 6.5 million game screenshots and videos have been shared on the system.

Sony has been very optimistic about the sales prospects for the PS4. Last month, SCEA president Jack Tretton predicted the company would sell 3 million PS4s by the end of the year. By the end of next March, Sony expects sales to top 5 million. That’s certainly in the ballpark.